Upon speaking with him, one finds that Marqueece knows well that while, disproportionately, the burden of dirty energy is born by low-income and front-line communities, he understands that a truly equitable expansion of clean energy presents the potential for an unprecedented investment in these same communities.

With his leadership in South Los Angeles, Angelenos can attain a fair, resilient and safe clean energy future. With the increasingly worse drought situation and the worsening climate crisis, we need his leadership NOW.

We invite the environmental community of Los Angeles to celebrate and support the election to Los Angeles City Council of Marqueece Harris-Dawson this weekend. Three ways to be supportive: Show up. Donate. Stick around and make some phone calls for him.

If you cannot attend the celebration, please consider making a donation to this vitally important campaign, and be sure we get another environmental voice on the City Council.

Upon speaking with him, one finds that Marqueece knows well that while, disproportionately, the burden of dirty energy is born by low-income and front-line communities, he understands that a truly equitable expansion of clean energy presents the potential for an unprecedented investment in these same communities.

With his leadership in South Los Angeles, Angelenos can attain a fair, resilient and safe clean energy future. With the increasingly worse drought situation and the worsening climate crisis, we need his leadership NOW.

We invite the environmental community of Los Angeles to celebrate and support the election to Los Angeles City Council of Marqueece Harris-Dawson this weekend. Three ways to be supportive: Show up. Donate. Stick around and make some phone calls for him.

If you cannot attend the celebration, please consider making a donation to this vitally important campaign, and be sure we get another environmental voice on the City Council.

It is vitally important to support our environmental champs at city hall, especially in a close election. Jose Huizar, and his amazing legislative director, Martin Schlageter, have led the way on getting the city moving off of coal power, banning plastic bags and overhauling the commercial waste system toward zero waste, among many others.

Tomorrow, Ed Begley, Jr., Sierra Club and the LALCV are hosting an enviro party to support him. Please come for a little while if you can and bring a friend:

JOIN THE CITIES UNITED
AGAINST
THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE

TransCanada is trying to build the Keystone XL (KXL), an 875-mile pipeline that would transport up to 830,000 barrels of dirty tar sands crude from Alberta, Canada. This pipeline is part of an effort by the oil industry to export millions of barrels per day of tar sands from Alberta through the United States to international markets. Yet, extracting tar sands is one of the most destructive and polluting projects on earth. Reliance on tar sands oil hinders our ability to reduce greenhouse gases in time to avoid runaway climate destabilization.

On November 14th, 2014, the Los Angeles City Council, led by Councilmember Paul Koretz, unanimously approved a resolution establishing the city’s position to oppose the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline on the grounds that ” it will carry one of the world’s dirtiest fuels, tar sands oil, [it] could devastate ecosystems and pollute water sources along its route, including lands inhabited by Indigenous Peoples; and that Keystone XL will contribute dramatically to climate change given that tar sands fuel is
up to 19% more greenhouse gas intensive than conventional fuel.”

The latest United Nations International Panel on Climate Change reports says that to avoid warming of more than two degrees, the world needs to stop greenhouse gas emissions rising to more than 50 gigatonnes in 2030. A rise of more than two degrees will likely set off runaway climate destabilization, resulting in more frequent and extreme weather events, like those which have resulted in hundred yearfloods, fires, California’s thousand-year drought, severe property damage, and increasing loss of life around the globe. The Norwegian Refugee Council found that 22 million people were displaced by extreme weather-related disasters in 2013, three times more than were displaced by conflict; that’s 22 million climate change refugees looking for a new place to live. The construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, the subsequent expansion of the tar sands oil market and the burning of all that fuel will likely freeze us on a path well above two degrees heating.

Given that the new Republican-led Congress has already announced its intentions to attempt to approve the project early in 2015, Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz has issued a challenge to other city councilmembers and mayors throughout the United States to join him and the Los Angeles City Council in opposing the pipeline:

Our goal is to sign on councilmembers and mayors from 15o cities (3 per state) to support President Obama’s veto of KXL.

3) FOR ANYONE, ELECTEDS OR NOT: And/or simply post a photo of yourself holding a sign, large or small, with the name of your city and the hashtag #CitiesAgainstKXL

3) For extra impact, shoot your own quick video and link it to the Facebook page. Go to tinyurl.com and create a personalized link with your name or city’s name like KoretzStopKXL: https://www.facebook.com/CitiesAgainstKXL

As Councilmember Koretz says, “California’s drought [the worst in a millennium], which is getting more severe by the day, puts Los Angeles on the front lines of the climate crisis. We must stop building fossil fuel infrastructure that only makes matters worse. This is a defining moment for our generation and we must stand strong. The City Council took a unanimous stand to prevent further climate destabilization and give President Obama our support to veto any Keystone XL Pipeline legislation that makes it to his desk. I urge you to join us in this vitally important endeavor.”

WE ARE BRINGING ON A WAR WITH THE PESTICIDE INDUSTRY TOMORROW BE THERE!!!!!

In October, the Los Angeles City Council, led by Councilmembers Paul Koretz and Mitch O’Farrell approved a motion calling to make the City of Los Angeles a GMO-Free growing and seed zone.

Meanwhile, in Sacramento, the pesticide industry snuck through
a poison pill state bill attempting to deny LA its right to protect its seeds and urban agriculture,
unless we can get it done before 2015!

Here’s contact info for the Councilmembers you need to call or email (in the next three days) (you can cut and paste the whole lot of them at the bottom):

Please note:
If you live in the City of LA, it is much more effective to call.
If you live in LA, please call all nine (email is fine, but calling is better).
If you live outside LA, please ONLY call and email Councilmember Buscaino.
Click here to find out who represents you.

You can find talking points and how-to for your phone call right here.

The Los Angeles City Council today went on record strongly condemning the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline.

The Council unanimously approved a Resolution authored by Councilmember Paul Koretz opposing the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline and its transport of tar sands oil “given its harmful impact on the ecosystem.” The Koretz Resolution was seconded by Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield, Jose Huizar and Mitch O’Farrell.

Councilmember Koretz said, “California’s drought, which is getting more severe by the day, puts Los Angeles on the front lines of the climate crisis. We must stop building fossil fuel infrastructure that only makes matters worse. The President’s historic climate agreement with China this week must not be undermined by a reckless Congressional vote. This is a defining moment for our generation and we must stand strong. The City Council took a unanimous stand today to prevent further climate destabilization and give President Obama our support to veto any Keystone XL Pipeline legislation that makes it to his desk.”

Earlier in the day, the Republican-controlled United States House of Representatives voted 252-161 its approval of the controversial pipeline. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on this matter next week, possibly on Tuesday (Nov. 18), which is why the City Council took up the Koretz Resolution on an expedited (“Special”) basis. At least sixty U.S. Senators will have to vote in favor of the project’s construction in order for that Congressional body to grant its support at this time.

The Koretz Resolution urges President Barack Obama to veto any such legislation, and also urges the U.S. Department of State to deny any permits granting the completion of Keystone XL. With the expected concurrence of the Mayor, this Resolution gets included in the City’s 2013-2014 Federal Legislative Program.

The Keystone XL Pipeline seeks to transport petroleum products from Canada and the northern United States to refineries in the Gulf Coast of Texas. Environmentalists in the U.S. and worldwide have been among the harshest critics of the project. The Koretz Resolution notes that:

If the KXL is constructed, it will carry one of the world’s dirtiest fuels, tar sands oil, and could devastate ecosystems and pollute water sources along its route, including lands inhabited by Indigenous Peoples.

Keystone XL will contribute dramatically to climate change given that tar sands fuel is up to 19% more greenhouse gas intensive than conventional fuel.

Total carbon pollution impacts of Keystone XL are the equivalent of putting 9 million cars on the road.

Contrary to claims made by supporters of Keystone XL, the pipeline could end as many jobs as it creates with toxic spills in farmland or water resources

The completion of the Keystone XL will only lead to an increase in the amount of harmful toxic pollutants in the atmosphere.

Councilmember Koretz is also releasing a YouTube video challenging other city council representatives across the country to join him in actively opposing the pipeline. The video can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/KoretzStopKXL.

State Senator: Sandra Fluke (she is transformational; her opponent is part of the machine)

State Assembly 50th District: Richard Bloom

West Basin Water Board: Jeff Ebenstein (a Koretz disciple)

Supreme Court Justices:

NO on Goodwin Liu (who threw out Ballot Measure 49 to overturn Citizen’s United ruling)

NO on Kathryn Mickle Werdegar (who threw out Ballot Measure 49 which would have established California’s position to overturn Citizen’s United ruling.

Rest of the Judges are fine as far as I’ve been able to find out.

Superior Court Judge, Office 61: Dayan Mathai

Superior Court Judge, Office 87: Andrew M. Stein

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tom Torlakson

County Assessor: Jeffrey Prang

Sheriff: Jim McDonnell

County Supervisor, 3rd District: Sheila Kuehl

STATE MEASURES

1 – Water Bond: Yes (2/3rds good; 1/3rd horrible, but we need the frickin’ water worse than I can tell you)

2 – State Budget Stabilization: Yes

45 – Healthcare Insurance: Yes

46 – Drug and Alcohol Testing of Doctors: No

47 – Criminal Sentences: Yes

48 – Indian Gaming: No (I will always vote no on casinos)

COUNTY MEASURE

P – Parks funding – NO (Sierra Club says it “claims to be a parks protection measure, but has troubling provisions that do not support environmental justice or sufficient safeguards for genuine acquisition and protection of greatly-needed park and natural open spaces in one of the country’s most dense population areas.”)

We are back.

We will not be denied again.

Los Angeles City Councilmembers Paul Koretz and Mitch O’Farrell introduced a motion to curb the growth and proliferation of GMO seeds and plants within the city, to protect local gardens and city-grown food from current future contamination from GMO seeds.

Last October, over 90 scientists from the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility released a statement saying:

“As scientists, physicians, academics, and experts from disciplines relevant to the scientific, legal, social and safety assessment aspects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), we strongly reject claims by GM seed developers and some scientists, commentators, and journalists that there is a “scientific consensus” on GMO safety and that the debate on this topic is “over.” We feel compelled to issue this statement because the claimed consensus on GMO safety does not exist.”

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The motion has been scheduled in the Arts/Parks Health Committee THIS MONDAY, October 20th, 3pm, LA City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, Room 1060.

Then, should it be approved by committee, it will be heard before the full City Council THE NEXT DAY, Tuesday, October 21st, 10am, LA City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, Room 340. (aka, Food Day/LA).

We need phone calls or emails in the next three days to Councilmembers Gil Cedillo, Paul Krekorian, Nury Martinez, Bernard Parks, Curren Price, Mitch Englander, and Joe Buscaino, to let them know how important it is for Los Angeles to be a GMO-Free Growing Zone.

1) Making LA a GMO-Free Growing Zone is vital to protect the economic interests of LA’s vital urban agriculture and homemade food movements; to protect the Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones Act created last year by the approval of AB-551; to protect home, school and community gardens and their seeds from contamination by the pesticide industry; and to protect fruit and vegetable varieties with cultural heritage, or heirloom/historic varieties (like Native American corn) from potential cross-pollination from GE varieties.

3) A GMO-Free LA will encourage the economic development of sustainable and organic urban agriculture in Los Angeles. As awareness of the issue of GMO contamination of non-GMO and organic foods continues to grow, local growers and food producers can promote their products as “GMO-Free” and reap the benefits of this rapidly growing and lucrative market.

4) GE contamination has already jeopardized millions of dollars in exports for American farmers, including exports through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where goods are shipped to international markets, especially markets in Asia. These countries already have laws on the books that prohibit the sale of GE products. By taking a public stand, Los Angeles is also declaring protections for its port exports and port jobs.

5) If GMO crops are safe, why have over 60 countries around the world taken some form of action to label or prohibit the growth of GM crops?

6) This initiative stands the potential to have significant long-term positive impacts on food security by protecting the diversity of vegetable and fruit plants. That diversity is desperately needed for humanity’s survival on a climate-changed planet.

8) The City Council should take a strong stand now to protect the best interests of eaters, backyard gardeners, and farmers who source food to the City, before the next generation of genetically-engineered seeds and crops comes online.

Councilmember Curren Price(213) 473-7009councilmember.price@lacity.org
Tell him this is an important step in protecting AB-551, the Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones, which he has co-presented a motion about.

Join us THIS SATURDAY for the Southern California Climate Protest Press Conference:

Launched by Converging Storms Action Network, the Building Blocks Against Climate Change action is planned in solidarity with Sunday’s historic People’s Climate March in New York City, which aims to impact next week’s UN summit on the climate crisis and support UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s effort to put together an ambitious global agreement to dramatically reduce global warming pollution and thereby reduce climate disruption.